Ottawa has long argued that the U.S. government should pay for its own infrastructure, given that Canada is already covering virtually the entire cost of the $2.1-billion bridge as well as access roads on both sides of the border.

The U.S. Congress and the Obama administration have refused to put forward any money despite pleading from some in Michigan's congressional delegation and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh C. Johnson, confirmed Tuesday that the Obama administration is in talks with the Canadian government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper about how to finance the Detroit toll plaza.

“I think we’re close to resolution on it,” Johnson said. Asked if the Canadian government would pay for the plaza upfront, Johnson said: “The Canadians, the community, I think we’re close.”

The Windsor Star reports "a source close to the project" says the money could come from a public-private partnership in Canada:

The source said that if a public-private partnership builds the bridge and custom plazas, the private companies would take their share first from vehicle tolls, and Canada would come next. The source said it would likely take 35 years or more before Canada could recoup its investment if it chipped in for a U.S. customs plaza.

I had a conversation yesterday with Douglas George, the Canadian government’s new consul general in Detroit.

For Canada, this area is an economic region important enough to merit a mini-embassy. Ottawa has a vast suite of offices in the Renaissance Center, and a large staff, some busy with immigration matters, and the rest primarily with economic and trade questions.

One indication of how important Canada sees Detroit is that Consul George was most recently their ambassador to Kuwait, and before that was a major trade negotiator who at various times headed both their government’s tariff and intellectual property divisions.

Here, he is responsible for trade and other issues involving a five-state area economically vital to Canada.

Detroit Free Press Business Writer John Gallagher has been looking at the progress and the obstacles for the new bridge to Windsor.

He reported that with a new CEO on board and plans to hire staffers moving ahead, the bridge project seemed sure to get built. But there are still unknowns that can delay the completion date targeted around 2020.

One of the main obstacles is the legal challenge raised by the Moroun family, owners of the Ambassador Bridge.